JP2012194318A - Developer container and method for manufacturing recycled product - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the workability for recycling and to prevent a detection object part from returning to a position for new product due to user's erroneous operation.SOLUTION: In a developer container, a first rotating body (agitator driving gear 80) includes a first contact part (first gear teeth 82A) brought into contact with a second rotating body (reset gear 90), a first non-contact part (first toothless part 82B) which cannot be brought into contact with the second rotating body, and a first stopper part 83 shifted from the first contact part in an axial direction, and a second rotating body includes a second contact part (second gear teeth 91A) brought into contact with the first rotating body, a second non-contact part (second toothless part 91B) which cannot be brought into contact with the first rotating body, a second stopper part 92 shifted from the second contact part in the axial direction, and a detection object part 93 to be detected by detection means. The developer container is configured so that the first stopper part 83 is brought into contact with the second stopper part 92 when the detection object part 93 is moved from a position for old products to the position for new products with the first non-contact part opposite the second rotating body.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container having a detected part for determining whether a new article is detected, and a method for manufacturing a recycled product including a step of returning the detected part to an initial position.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a developing cartridge containing toner is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. As such an image forming apparatus, there is conventionally known an apparatus capable of determining whether a mounted developing cartridge is new (new article detection) (see Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is based on a swingable arm-shaped detection actuator, a sensor for detecting the swing of the detection actuator, and a signal from the sensor on the apparatus main body side. And a control device for detecting a new article. The developing cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus includes a gear mechanism that transmits a driving force to a developing roller, an agitator, and the like, a gear cover that covers the gear mechanism, and a detection protrusion (covered) that protrudes outward from the gear cover. And a detection gear that rotates by receiving a driving force from the gear mechanism.

  In this image forming apparatus, when a new development cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the detection projection presses one end of the detection actuator, the detection actuator swings, and this swing is detected by the sensor. The sensor that has detected the swing in this way transmits a detection signal indicating that to the control device, and the control device determines that the developing cartridge is new based on the received detection signal.

  Further, in this image forming apparatus, for example, when the front cover is closed after the developing cartridge is mounted, a warming operation (rotating operation) is executed by the control device. Here, the glass turning operation refers to an operation of rotating the agitator in the cartridge so as to stir the toner in the developing cartridge.

  In such a glass turning operation, the driving force from the driving source provided on the apparatus main body side is transmitted to the agitator and the detection gear via the gear mechanism. As a result, the stirring of the toner by the agitator is started, and the detection protrusion is rotated and detached from the detection actuator.

  Therefore, in the used developing cartridge, the position of the detection projection is located at a position different from the initial position. As a result, when the used developing cartridge is removed from the apparatus main body and mounted on the image forming apparatus again, the detection actuator is not pressed by the detection protrusion in the image forming apparatus, so that the control apparatus that does not receive the detection signal is mounted. It is determined that the developed cartridge is an old product.

JP 2006-267994 A

  By the way, in the field of the developing cartridge having the detecting protrusion as described above, when recycling the developing cartridge, in order to improve the workability, the detecting protrusion positioned at the used position is not removed without removing the gear cover. A structure capable of returning to the initial position is desired. However, if the structure is such that anyone can easily return the detection protrusion to the initial position, it is assumed that the detection protrusion will be accidentally returned to the initial position by the user without intention. There is a problem that the management becomes inaccurate in the control device that manages the life of the cartridge (toner deterioration, toner remaining amount, etc.) based on the detected time point.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve workability at the time of recycling and to suppress the detection protrusion (detected portion) from returning to a new position due to an erroneous operation by the user.

  In order to solve the above problems, a developer container according to the present invention is a developer container that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, and agitates a developer housing and a developer in the housing. A stirring member; a transmission mechanism that transmits at least the driving force from the image forming apparatus to the stirring member; and a cover that is attached to the housing so as to cover the transmission mechanism, the transmission mechanism including the image A driving force input member that rotates when a driving force is transmitted from the forming device, a first rotating body that rotates in response to the driving force from the driving force input member, and a rotation that receives the driving force from the first rotating body A first rotating part that contacts the second rotating body and transmits a driving force to the second rotating body, and the first contacting part. Arranged at the same position in the axial direction and within the radial direction from the first contact portion A first non-contact portion that is formed to be incapable of contact with the second rotating body, and a first stopper portion that is provided at a position shifted in the axial direction from the first contact portion. The rotating body is disposed at the same position in the axial direction as the second contact portion that contacts the first rotating body and transmits the driving force from the first rotating body, and the second contact portion. A second non-contact portion that is formed radially inward of the portion and cannot contact the first rotating body, a second stopper portion provided at a position shifted in the axial direction from the second contact portion, A projecting portion that protrudes toward the outside of the cover from a position deviated from the rotation center of the two-rotor, and is detected by a detecting unit provided in the image forming apparatus. Before use of the agent container, it is placed in a new position, and after use, it is different from the new position. It is configured to be movable from the new position to the old position so as to be disposed at a position, and when the first non-contact portion of the first rotating body faces the second rotating body, the detected object When the second rotating body is rotated in the direction from the old product position to the new product position, the second stopper unit is connected to the first stopper unit before the detected portion reaches the new product position. It is comprised so that may contact | abut.

  Here, “when the first non-contact portion of the first rotating body faces the second rotating body” means that the second rotating body can rotate without the second contacting portion contacting the first contacting portion. More specifically, it means that all the first contact parts of the first rotating body are located outside the rotation locus of the second contact part of the second rotating body.

  According to the present invention, even when the user accidentally moves the detected part from the old product position toward the new product position, the first non-contact part of the first rotating body does not face the second rotating body. It is possible to prevent the detected portion from returning to the new position due to the interference between the contact portions. In addition, when the first non-contact portion of the first rotating body faces the second rotating body, the second stopper portion comes into contact with the first stopper portion before the detected portion reaches the new position. As described above, the detected portion cannot be moved, and the detected portion can be prevented from returning to the new position. More specifically, in order to rotate the second rotating body having the detected part, at least two rotating bodies (first rotating body and driving force input member) that transmit driving force to the second rotating body are contacted or stoppered. Since they must be rotated together through the part, the resistance during rotation is large, and the detected part can be prevented from returning to the new position unintentionally.

  Further, at the time of recycling, without removing the cover, the first non-contact portion of the first rotating body is made to face the second rotating body, and then the second rotating body is rotated so that the second stopper portion is the first stopper portion. After the contact, the first rotating body is turned slightly to move the first stopper portion away from the second stopper portion, and then the second rotating body is further rotated to return the detected portion to the new position. In addition, when each stopper part contacts, since the 1st non-contact part of the 1st rotation body has countered the 2nd rotation body, when turning the 1st rotation body after contact of each stopper part, The second rotating body is not in contact with the first rotating body. Therefore, when rotating the first rotating body, the first rotating body can be easily rotated.

  The present invention also includes two adjacent rotating bodies, each rotating body contacting the adjacent rotating body and contributing to transmission of driving force between the rotating bodies, and a diameter larger than that of the contact section. It has a non-contact part that is formed on the inner side in the direction and cannot contact an adjacent rotating body, and a stopper part that is provided at a position shifted in the axial direction from the contact part. A method for manufacturing a recycled product comprising a step of returning the detected portion from the old product position to the new position in order to recycle the developer container provided with the detected portion detected by the detecting means provided in the image forming apparatus. The step of causing the non-contact part of the other rotating body to face the one rotating body, and the step of rotating the one rotating body from the position of the old product to the contact position where the stoppers contact each other. And the stopper portion of the other rotating body The step of rotating the other rotating body until it moves outside the rotation locus of the one stopper portion, and the step of rotating the one rotating body from the contact position to the new position. And

  According to such a manufacturing method, the detected portion can be easily returned to the new position without removing the cover by passing through each step. In addition, by providing a step in which each stopper portion comes into contact, even if the user accidentally moves the detected portion, the user can move the detected portion further by the contact of each stopper portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the detected part from returning to the new position.

  According to the present invention, workability at the time of recycling can be improved, and the detected portion can be prevented from returning to the new position due to an erroneous operation by the user.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the laser printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing (a) which shows the state which removed the cover from the cartridge main body, and explanatory drawing (b) which shows the state which mounted | wore the cover. It is the perspective view (a) which shows an agitator drive gear, and a reset gear, and a side view (b). FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the developing cartridge is attached to the main casing. Explanatory drawing (a) which shows the state where the to-be-detected part is not contact | abutting to the detection arm, explanatory drawing (b) which shows the contacted state, and explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the driving force was transmitted to the input gear ( c). An explanatory view (a) showing a state in which the reset gear starts to rotate when the second stopper portion is pushed by the first stopper portion, and an explanatory view (b) showing a state in which each gear tooth meshes and each gear rotates. FIG. 5C is an explanatory view (c) showing a state where the agitator drive gear is detached from the reset gear. Explanatory diagrams (a) and (b) showing a state where the first non-contact portion of the agitator drive gear does not face the reset gear, and a state where the first non-contact portion of the agitator drive gear faces the reset gear. It is explanatory drawing (c) shown. An explanatory view (a) showing a state in which the second stopper portion is in contact with the first stopper portion by rotating the reset gear, and a state in which the first stopper portion is retracted outside the rotation locus of the second stopper portion. It is explanatory drawing (b) which shows, and explanatory drawing (c) which shows the state which returned the to-be-detected part to the new article position.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, first, the overall configuration of the laser printer will be briefly described, and then the details of the characteristic portions of the present invention will be described.

  In the following description, the direction will be described with reference to the user when using the laser printer 1. That is, in FIG. 1, the right side toward the paper surface is “front side (front side)”, the left side toward the paper surface is “rear side (back side)”, the back side toward the paper surface is “right side”, and it faces the paper surface. Let the near side be the “left side”. In addition, the vertical direction toward the page is defined as the “vertical direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 includes a feeder unit 4 for feeding a sheet 3 into a main body casing 2 and an image forming unit 5 for forming an image on the sheet 3.

  The feeder unit 4 includes a paper feed tray 6, a paper pressing plate 7, and a paper transport mechanism 9. In the feeder unit 4, the sheet 3 in the sheet feeding tray 6 is moved upward by the sheet pressing plate 7 and conveyed to the image forming unit 5 by the sheet conveying mechanism 9.

  The image forming unit 5 includes a scanner unit 16, a process cartridge 17, and a fixing unit 18.

  The scanner unit 16 includes a laser light emitting unit, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like (not shown). In the scanner unit 16, the laser beam is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 27 by high-speed scanning through a path indicated by a chain line in the drawing.

  The process cartridge 17 can be attached to and detached from the main casing 2 by appropriately opening the front cover 2 </ b> A on the front side of the main casing 2. The process cartridge 17 includes a developing cartridge 28 as an example of a developer container and a drum unit 51.

  The developing cartridge 28 is detachably attached to the main body casing 2 in a state of being integrally assembled with the drum unit 51 or is detachably attached to the drum unit 51 fixed to the main body casing 2. The developing cartridge 28 includes a developing roller 31, a layer thickness regulating blade 32 as an example of a layer thickness regulating member, a supply roller 33, a toner hopper 34, and an agitator 34A as an example of a stirring member. The layer thickness regulating blade 32 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller 31.

  In the developing cartridge 28, toner as an example of the developer in the toner hopper 34 is stirred by the agitator 34A and then supplied to the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. At this time, the toner between the supply roller 33 and the developing roller 31 is supplied. Positively frictionally charged. The toner supplied onto the developing roller 31 enters between the layer thickness regulating blade 32 and the developing roller 31 as the developing roller 31 rotates, and is further developed as a thin layer having a constant thickness while being frictionally charged. It is carried on a roller 31. Details of the developing cartridge 28 will be described later.

  The drum unit 51 includes a photosensitive drum 27, a scorotron charger 29, and a transfer roller 30. In the drum unit 51, the surface of the photosensitive drum 27 is uniformly positively charged by the scorotron charger 29 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 16. Thereby, the potential of the exposed part is lowered, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed.

  Next, by the rotation of the developing roller 31, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 27, so that the toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 27. It is formed. Thereafter, the sheet 3 is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 27 and the transfer roller 30, whereby the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 27 is transferred onto the sheet 3.

  The fixing unit 18 includes a heating roller 41 and a pressure roller 42. In the fixing unit 18, the toner transferred onto the paper 3 is thermally fixed while the paper 3 passes between the heating roller 41 and the pressure roller 42. The paper 3 thermally fixed by the fixing unit 18 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 46 by the paper discharge roller 45.

<Detailed structure of developing cartridge>
Next, the detailed structure of the developing cartridge 28 which is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the developing cartridge 28 includes the developing roller 31 and the like, a cartridge main body 60 as an example of a housing, and a gear mechanism 61 as an example of a transmission mechanism. And a cover 70.

  The gear mechanism 61 is a mechanism that transmits a driving force input from the outside to the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the agitator 34A. Specifically, the gear mechanism 61 includes an input gear 62 as an example of a driving force input member, a developing roller driving gear 63, a supply roller driving gear 64, an intermediate gear 65, and an agitator as an example of a first rotating body. A drive gear 80 and a reset gear 90 as an example of a second rotating body are provided.

  The input gear 62 is a gear that rotates when a driving force is transmitted from a driving device 110 (see FIG. 4) provided in the main body casing 2, and is rotatably provided in the cartridge main body 60. A center portion of the input gear 62 is provided with a transmitted portion 62A that is engaged with a coupling portion (not shown) of the driving device 110 in the circumferential direction to transmit a driving force. The developing roller driving gear 63 and the supply roller driving gear 64 are directly meshed with the input gear 62 and the agitator driving gear 80 is indirectly meshed with the intermediate gear 65.

  The developing roller driving gear 63, the supply roller driving gear 64, and the agitator driving gear 80 are gears for driving the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the agitator 34A shown in FIG. 1, respectively. The developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the agitator It is integrally provided at the end of each axis of 34A. These gears 63, 64, 80 are rotated by receiving the driving force from the input gear 62 directly or indirectly.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the agitator drive gear 80 includes a large-diameter gear portion 81, a small-diameter gear portion 82, a first stopper portion 83, and a rotating shaft portion 84.

  The large-diameter gear portion 81 is a gear when it has a larger diameter than the small-diameter gear portion 82, and has gear teeth 81 </ b> A on the entire circumference thereof so as to always mesh with the intermediate gear 65 (see FIG. 2).

  The small-diameter gear portion 82 has a part of the outer periphery thereof serving as a first gear tooth 82A as an example of a first contact portion, and the other portion serving as a first toothless portion 82B as an example of a first non-contact portion. And is integrally formed coaxially with the large-diameter gear portion 81. The first gear teeth 82A are formed at a height that can mesh with (contact with) the second gear teeth 91A of the reset gear 90, and are driven to the reset gear 90 in a state of meshing with the second gear teeth 91A. Transmit power. The first toothless portion 82B is disposed at the same position in the axial direction as the first gear teeth 82A, is formed radially inward of the first gear teeth 82A, and cannot contact the reset gear 90 (second gear teeth 91A). It has become.

  The first stopper portion 83 is displaced in the axial direction from the first gear teeth 82A (a position opposite to the large diameter gear portion 81 with respect to the small diameter gear portion 82), more specifically, outside the small diameter gear portion 82 ( It is provided so as to protrude outward from the end surface 82C on the cover 70 side. Further, the first stopper portion 83 is provided on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the first toothless portion 82B (the upstream side in the rotational direction of the agitator driving gear 80 to which the driving force from the driving device 110 is input: see FIG. 2). The first gear teeth 82A are formed so as to protrude outward in the radial direction.

  That is, the first stopper portion 83 is configured such that when the first missing tooth portion 82B faces the reset gear 90 and the second gear teeth 91A of the reset gear 90 cannot contact the agitator drive gear 80, It is formed at a position and size that can be engaged with a second stopper portion 92 described later in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 7C).

  The rotation shaft portion 84 is formed so as to protrude outward in the axial direction from the center portion of both end faces of the agitator drive gear 80, and is rotatably supported by the cartridge body 60 and the cover 70. A D-shaped hole 84 </ b> A is formed on the outer end surface of the rotating shaft portion 84.

  The hole portion 84A is formed such that a straight line portion 84B forming a straight line in the D shape is substantially in the same position (orientation) in the circumferential direction with respect to the first missing tooth portion 82B. Thus, when the straight portion 84B is directed to the center of the reset gear 90, the first toothless portion 82B faces the reset gear 90, and the second gear teeth 91A of the reset gear 90 interfere with the agitator drive gear 80. (See FIG. 7 (c)).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the agitator 34A includes a support frame A1 that is rotatably provided on the cartridge body 60, and a flexible film A2 that is supported by the support frame A1. . The film A2 is slidably brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the toner hopper 34 in a state where the tip of the film A2 is bent in the counterclockwise direction, and the toner is stirred by rotating clockwise.

  Therefore, the agitator drive gear 80 tends to rotate clockwise (direction rotated by the driving force from the drive device 110: the direction shown in FIG. 2), but when rotated counterclockwise, the leading end of the film A2 is attached to the toner hopper 34. It becomes difficult to turn because it becomes resistance by being caught on the inner peripheral surface.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reset gear 90 is provided adjacent to the agitator drive gear 80 and is rotated by receiving a driving force from the agitator drive gear 80, and is provided rotatably on the cartridge body 60. It has been. The reset gear 90 includes a missing tooth gear 91, a second stopper portion 92, and a detected portion 93. In FIG. 3, for convenience, the agitator drive gear 80 and the reset gear 90 are illustrated in a separated state.

  The partly missing gear 91 is formed such that a part of the outer periphery thereof becomes a second gear tooth 91A as an example of a second contact part, and the other part becomes a second partly missing tooth part 91B as an example of a second non-contact part. Has been. The second gear teeth 91A are formed at a height capable of meshing with (contacting with) the first gear teeth 82A of the agitator drive gear 80, and the agitator drive gear 80 is engaged with the first gear teeth 82A. The driving force is transmitted from. The second toothless portion 91B is disposed at the same position in the axial direction as the second gear teeth 91A, is formed radially inward of the second gear teeth 91A, and contacts the agitator drive gear 80 (first gear teeth 82A). It is impossible.

  The second stopper portion 92 is provided so as to protrude outward from the position shifted in the axial direction from the second gear teeth 91 </ b> A, specifically, from the outer end surface 91 </ b> C of the missing gear 91. Further, the second stopper portion 92 is provided on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the second toothless portion 91B (the upstream side in the rotational direction of the reset gear 90 to which the driving force from the driving device 110 is input: see FIG. 6A). The second gear teeth 91A are formed so as to protrude outward in the radial direction.

  That is, the second stopper portion 92 is configured such that the first stopper portion 82B faces the reset gear 90 and the second gear teeth 91A of the reset gear 90 cannot contact the agitator drive gear 80. It is formed at a position and size that can be engaged with 83 in the circumferential direction. In other words, when all the first gear teeth 82A of the agitator drive gear 80 are located outside the rotation locus T1 (see FIG. 7C) of the second gear teeth 91A of the reset gear 90, the first stopper portion 83 is provided. The second stopper portion 92 is configured to come into contact with the second stopper portion 92.

  The detected portion 93 protrudes from the position shifted from the rotation center of the reset gear 90 toward the outside of the cover 70 and is detected by a new article detection device 120 (see FIG. 4) as an example of detection means provided in the main body casing 2. It has come to be. Specifically, the detected portion 93 is arranged at a new position shown in FIG. 5A before use of the developing cartridge 28 and is arranged at an old position shown in FIG. 6C after use. In addition, it is configured to be movable from a new position to an old position.

  The reset gear 90 can be rotated only within a range of less than 360 ° by a restricting means (escape groove 71 described later). Specifically, the reset gear 90 cannot be rotated clockwise in the illustrated state at the new position shown in FIG. 5A by the restricting means, and cannot be rotated counterclockwise in the illustrated position at the old position shown in FIG. 6C. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the cover 70 is a substantially rectangular bottomed cylindrical case, and is attached to the cartridge body 60 so as to cover the gear mechanism 61. A C-shaped escape groove 71 is formed on the front upper portion of the cover 70 to project the detected portion 93 to the outside of the cover 70 and allow movement from the new position to the old position.

  Further, a hole 72 for visually recognizing the direction of the agitator drive gear 80 (the direction of the D-shaped hole 84A) is formed on the rear side of the clearance groove 71 of the cover 70. Specifically, the hole 72 is formed to face the hole 84A in the axial direction so that the D-shaped hole 84A of the agitator drive gear 80 is exposed to the outside.

  Further, a hole 73 for exposing the transmitted portion 62A of the input gear 62 to the outside is formed in the upper rear side of the cover 70.

<Detailed structure inside main casing>
As shown in FIG. 4, a drive device 110 and a new product detection device 120 are provided in the main body casing 2. These are briefly described below.

  A drive device 110 that transmits a driving force to the input gear 62 of the development cartridge 28 and a new product detection device 120 that can detect a new product are provided at a portion of the main casing 2 where the development cartridge 28 is mounted. .

  The drive device 110 includes a drive motor (not shown), a plurality of gears, and a coupling unit. When the developing cartridge 28 is mounted in the main casing 2, the coupling portion on the driving device 110 side is connected to the input gear 62, so that the driving force from the driving motor causes each gear and the coupling portion to be connected. To the input gear 62. The coupling portion is configured to advance and retract with respect to the input gear 62 in conjunction with, for example, opening and closing of the front cover 2A.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the new article detection device 120 includes a detection arm 121, an optical sensor and a control device (not shown). The detection arm 121 includes a rotation shaft portion 121A that is rotatably supported by the main body casing 2, a light shielding arm 121B that extends radially outward from the rotation shaft portion 121A, and a contact arm 121C. The rotation shaft portion 121A is configured to be swingable.

  In addition, a coil spring (not shown) is attached to an appropriate position of the detection arm 121, whereby the detection arm 121 is constantly urged to the neutral position (position shown in FIG. 5A) by the coil spring. In this neutral position, the light shielding arm 121B is disposed between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor. In the neutral position, the contact arm 121C can contact the detected portion 93 located at the new position and cannot contact the detected portion 93 positioned at the old position (or the contact position). Even if it comes into contact, it is disposed at a position where it is detached from the detected portion 93 and returns to the neutral position after mounting.

  In the new article detection device 120, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B in this order, when the developing cartridge 28 is attached to the main casing 2, the detected portion 93 located at the new article position is brought into contact with the arm. The detection arm 121 swings by pushing 121C backward. As a result, the light shielding arm 121B is detached from between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and the optical sensor is turned on.

  When the detection arm 121 swings in this way, the detected portion 93 is also moved relatively forward by the detection arm 121 to move to the position shown in FIG. As a result, the second stopper portion 92 moves rearward and enters the rotation locus of the first stopper portion 83.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the driving force from the driving device 110 is transmitted to the input gear 62, the gears 63 to 65, 80 rotate and the first stopper portion 83 of the agitator driving gear 80. Is in contact with the second stopper portion 92 of the reset gear 90, the second stopper portion 92 is pushed by the first stopper portion 83, and the reset gear 90 starts to rotate. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second gear teeth 91A of the reset gear 90 and the first gear teeth 82A of the agitator drive gear 80 mesh with each other and the gear teeth 82A and 91A mesh with each other. As shown in (b), the reset gear 90 rotates together with the agitator drive gear 80.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), when the first gear teeth 82A of the agitator drive gear 80 are disengaged from the second gear teeth 91A of the reset gear 90, the rotation of the reset gear 90 stops and the detected portion 93 Will be located in the old product position.

  While the detected portion 93 moves from the new position to the old position in this way, the detected portion 93 comes off from the detection arm 121, and the detection arm returns to the neutral position by the return force of the coil spring. The optical sensor is turned off. Then, the control device determines that the mounted developing cartridge 28 is new based on, for example, the change of the optical sensor from ON to OFF.

<Method for manufacturing recycled products>
Next, a manufacturing method of a recycled product for collecting the used developing cartridge 28 (toner is emptied), refilling the toner, and recycling it to a new developing cartridge 28 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2B, the operator confirms the orientation of the D-shaped hole 84A from the hole 72 formed in the cover 70 of the collected used developing cartridge 28. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the direction of the D-shaped hole 84A, that is, the linear portion 84B is not along the vertical direction (not facing the center of the reset gear 90), As shown in FIG. 7C, the operator turns the transmitted portion 62A of the input gear 62 clockwise (first rotation direction), so that the straight portion 84B (straight portion of the shaft) of the hole portion 84A is obtained. Correct the orientation along the top and bottom.

  As a result, the first missing tooth portion 82B faces the reset gear 90, and all the first gear teeth 82A of the agitator drive gear 80 are located outside the rotation locus T1 of the second gear teeth 91A. Here, when the transmitted portion 62A is rotated clockwise, the agitator 34A does not become a resistance, so that the operator can work smoothly. Further, when rotating the transmitted portion 62A, since the rotational torque is lower than when rotating the agitator drive gear 80 that is decelerated with respect to the input gear 62, the operator can work smoothly. ing.

  If the orientation of the straight portion 84B is only corrected by the operator's visual recognition, the straight portion 84B is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 7B, and the first gear teeth 82A of the agitator drive gear 80 are obtained. (Gear teeth 82A adjacent to the first missing tooth portion 82B on the downstream side in the rotation direction) may remain in the rotation locus T1 of the second gear teeth 91A. Therefore, the operator grasps the detected portion 93 and rotates the reset gear 90 in the clockwise direction in the drawing along with the operation of the transmitted portion 62A, so that the second gear teeth 91A of the reset gear 90 interfere with the first gear teeth 82A. It is good to work while confirming at any time whether or not.

  After the agitator drive gear 80 is directed in the direction of FIG. 7C, the operator grasps the detected portion 93 positioned at the old product position and rotates the reset gear 90 in the clockwise direction in FIG. ), The second stopper portion 92 of the reset gear 90 contacts the first stopper portion 83 of the agitator drive gear 80 before the detected portion 93 reaches the new position. That is, the operator rotates the reset gear 90 from the position of the old product to the contact position where the stoppers 83 and 92 are in contact.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8B, the operator operates the transmitted portion 62A of the input gear 62 to slightly rotate the agitator drive gear 80 counterclockwise (second rotational direction). The first stopper portion 83 is moved outside the rotation locus T2 of the second stopper portion 92 of the reset gear 90. As a result, even if the second stopper portion 92 is moved further clockwise, it does not interfere with the first stopper portion 83, so that the operator can remove a new article from the contact position as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. The reset gear 90 is rotated to the position.

  The agitator 34A acts as a resistance when the transmitted portion 62A is rotated counterclockwise. However, with the amount of movement such that the agitator 34A is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 8A to the position shown in FIG. It can be turned easily without applying too much force.

  As described above, it is possible to return the detected portion 93 from the old product position to the new product position without removing the cover 70. The step of putting toner into the developing cartridge 28 may be before or after the step of returning the detected portion 93 to the new position.

<Action against user's misoperation>
Next, the operation of each of the gears 80 and 90 when the user moves the detected part 93 from the old product position to the new product position due to an erroneous operation of the detected part 93 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the first gear teeth 82A of the agitator drive gear 80 are in the rotation locus T1 of the second gear teeth 91A (the first missing tooth portion 82B is the reset gear). 90), the second gear tooth 91A interferes with the first gear tooth 82A even if the detected portion 93 moves from the old product position toward the new product position due to an erroneous operation by the user. The movement of the detected part 93 is stopped before it reaches the new position. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7C, when all the first gear teeth 82A of the agitator drive gear 80 are located outside the rotation locus T1 of the second gear teeth 91A (the first missing tooth portion 82B is the reset gear). 90), even if the detected portion 93 moves from the old product position toward the new product position due to an erroneous operation by the user, the second stopper portion 92 is not moved as shown in FIG. 1 The contact with the stopper portion 83 stops the movement of the detected portion 93 before reaching the new position. Even if the state shown in FIG. 8A is caused by an erroneous operation by the user, if the developing cartridge 28 is mounted in the main casing 2 in that state, the driving force from the driving device 110 causes the driving force shown in FIG. After the state shown in FIG. 6B, the product is located at the position of the old product shown in FIG.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
Even if the user accidentally moves the detected portion 93 from the old product position toward the new position, the detected portion 93 is caused by the interference between the gear teeth 82A and 91A or the interference between the stopper portions 83 and 92. It can suppress returning to a new position. More specifically, in order to rotate the reset gear 90 having the detected portion 93, the gear mechanism 61 must be rotated together with the reset gear 90, so that the resistance during rotation is large and the detected portion 93 is in the new position. It can be suppressed to return to. In particular, in the structure in which the gear mechanism 61 is configured to transmit the driving force to the developing roller 31 as in the present embodiment, the gear mechanism 61 is large in order to rotate the developing roller 31 in contact with the layer thickness regulating blade 32. Since torque is required, the first stopper portion 83 does not move with a small force caused by a user's erroneous operation, and the detected portion 93 can be reliably prevented from returning to the new position.

  At the time of recycling, the detected portion 93 can be returned to the new position without removing the cover 70, so that the workability at the time of recycling can be improved.

  Since the hole 72 for visually recognizing the direction of the agitator drive gear 80 (the direction of the D-shaped hole 84A) is formed in the cover 70, the first missing tooth portion 82B is directed to the reset gear 90 at the time of recycling. Substantially all of the first gear teeth 82A can be easily arranged outside the rotation locus T1 of the second gear teeth 91A.

  Since the stopper portions 83 and 92 both project radially outward from the gear teeth 82A and 91A, it is possible to prevent one of the stopper portions from becoming too long, and to increase the length of the stopper portion and other members. Interference can be suppressed.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can utilize with various forms so that it may illustrate below.
In the above embodiment, the gear teeth 82A and 91A are exemplified as the contact portions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the first rotating body and the second rotating body are both constituted by friction wheels and are cylindrical surfaces that contact each other. It is good also as a contact part. However, when the contact portion is the gear teeth 82A and 91A as in the above-described embodiment, the driving force can be reliably transmitted by the meshing of the gear teeth 82A and 91A compared to the contact between the cylindrical surfaces.

  In the above embodiment, the agitator drive gear 80 as the first rotating body is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be another gear.

  In the embodiment, the developing cartridge 28 is exemplified as the developer container. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the developer container may be, for example, a toner cartridge having no developing roller, a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, It may be a process cartridge having a developer storage chamber or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the agitator 34A composed of the support frame A1 and the film A2 is exemplified as the stirring member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the stirring member may be composed of only the frame or the film. The agitating member may be constituted only by the rotating shaft.

  In the above-described embodiment, the new article detection device 120 having the detection arm 121 that abuts on the detected portion 93 as the detection means is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be an optical sensor that detects whether or not it is located at a new position by direct irradiation.

  In the above embodiment, the hole 72 that exposes the D-shaped hole 84A to the outside is formed in the cover 70. However, the present invention can be any hole as long as the direction of the first rotating body can be visually recognized from the outside. You may form in a position. For example, a hole that exposes the position where the first rotating body and the second rotating body are in contact (position where the rotation locus of each contact portion is in contact) may be formed in the cover. Even in this case, the direction of the first rotating body can be visually recognized from the hole by using the first non-contact portion of the first rotating body as a mark.

  Moreover, the hole for making the direction of a 1st rotary body visible from the outside does not need to be formed in a cover. Even in this case, the operator turns both the first rotating body and the second rotating body to turn the first non-contact portion toward the second rotating body by groping (the rotation locus of the second contact portion). All the first contacts can be located outside the

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the laser printer 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a multifunction machine.

  In the embodiment, the paper 3 such as a thick paper, a postcard, and a thin paper is used as an example of the recording sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an OHP sheet, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer 28 Developing cartridge 34A Agitator 61 Gear mechanism 62 Input gear 70 Cover 80 Agitator drive gear 82A 1st gear tooth 82B 1st missing tooth part 83 1st stopper part 90 Reset gear 91A 2nd gear tooth 91B 2nd missing tooth part 92 Second stopper portion 93 Detected portion 120 New article detection device T1 Rotation locus

Claims (6)

A developer container detachable from the image forming apparatus,
A housing for containing the developer;
A stirring member for stirring the developer in the housing;
A transmission mechanism that transmits at least the driving force from the image forming apparatus to the stirring member;
A cover attached to the housing so as to cover the transmission mechanism,
The transmission mechanism is
A driving force input member that rotates when a driving force is transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
A first rotating body that rotates in response to a driving force from the driving force input member;
A second rotating body that rotates in response to a driving force from the first rotating body,
The first rotating body includes:
A first contact portion that contacts the second rotator and transmits a driving force to the second rotator, and is disposed at the same position in the axial direction as the first contact portion, and is more radial than the first contact portion. A first non-contact portion that is formed on the inner side and cannot contact the second rotating body, and a first stopper portion that is provided at a position shifted in the axial direction from the first contact portion,
The second rotating body is
The second contact portion that is in contact with the first rotator and receives driving force from the first rotator is disposed at the same position in the axial direction as the second contact portion, and has a diameter larger than that of the second contact portion. A second non-contact portion that is formed on the inner side in the direction and cannot be contacted with the first rotating body, a second stopper portion that is provided at a position shifted in the axial direction from the second contact portion, and a second rotating body A detected portion that protrudes toward the outside of the cover from a position deviated from the rotation center and is detected by a detecting means provided in the image forming apparatus,
The detected portion is moved from the new position to the old position so that the detected section is disposed at a new position before use of the developer container and is disposed at an old position different from the new position after use. Configured and possible
When the first non-contact portion of the first rotating body faces the second rotating body, the second rotating body is rotated in a direction in which the detected portion is directed from the old product position to the new product position. In this case, the developer container is configured such that the second stopper portion comes into contact with the first stopper portion before the detected portion reaches the new position.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein a hole for visually recognizing the direction of the first rotating body is formed in the cover.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein each of the stopper portions protrudes radially outward from the contact portion.   4. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein each contact portion of each of the rotating bodies is a gear tooth. 5. A developing roller carrying the developer in the housing;
A layer thickness regulating member that contacts the developing roller and regulates the layer thickness of the developer in the developing roller;
The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developing roller rotates in response to a driving force from the driving input member. Two adjacent rotating bodies are provided, each rotating body is in contact with the adjacent rotating body and contributes to transmission of the driving force between the rotating bodies, and is formed radially inward from the contact section, It has a non-contact part that cannot be contacted with an adjacent rotating body, and a stopper provided at a position shifted in the axial direction from the contact part, and one of the two rotating bodies is provided in the image forming apparatus. In order to recycle the developer container provided with the detected portion detected by the detecting means, a method for manufacturing a recycled product including a step of returning the detected portion from the old product position to the new product position,
The non-contact portion of the other rotating body is opposed to the one rotating body;
Rotating the one rotating body from the old product position to a contact position where the stopper portions contact;
Rotating the other rotating body until the stopper section of the other rotating body moves outside the rotation locus of the one stopper section;
A step of rotating the one rotating body from the contact position to the new position.

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